Balasore beach to get life size Kalam statue

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:00:34 IST

Balasore:Dec 10;A life size statue of former President A P J Abdul Kalam will be installed on the sea beach at Chandipur, under the initiative of Golden beach festival committee with the support of district administration.

The statue would be unveiled during the beach festival which is scheduled to be held between 7 and 10 of January.

Bismay Mohanty, the secretary of the festival committee said the statue would be unveiled on 7 of January, tentatively on the opening day of the festival.

It would cost Rs 15 lakh. The local MLA has agreed to provide Rs 5.6 lakh. The rest amount is being managed from different sources, he said.

"The total height of the structure would be around 16 feet including 8 feet statue and rest pedestal. The statue will be of black granite stone and local artisans of Soro and Nilgiri will be engaged" stated Mohanty.

"Since Dr Kalam had special love, affection and attachment for Chandipur and spent a lot of time in the missile testing range, ITR, the committee decided to erect a statue near the beach".

Pramod Kumar Das, the district collector extended all possible help. Like previous years the festival committee has planned to hold the event this year in a big way.

While it plans to hold a cycle rally from Balasore railway station to Chandipur on the day of unveiling of statue each evening entertainment programmes would be held during the cultural extravaganza.